Gboard’s floating keyboard is the new feature from Google

Google Gboard’s floating keyboard feature, that first surfaced in September, is apparently live for more users. Version 7.6 (beta) of the Gboard app reportedly brings the feature to more users which seemingly suggests a broader stable roll-out might just be around the corner. The feature, as the name suggests would let users manually move Google’s custom keyboard around, something that would particularly be useful in larger phones.

The floating keyboard feature can be enabled by opening an app that requires the keyboard and tapping the arrow on the left (of the keyboard) to bring more options. Tapping on the 3-dot sub-menu will then bring you the floating option. Once you have it on, you will be able to move the keyboard around your screen with the help of a handle at the bottom. You will also be able to resize the keyboard if you so desire. The keyboard, in addition, will turn transparent if it stays on idle for a bit which means you will be able to see right through it without letting it go.

The floating feature has been a long part of third-party keyboard apps like SwiftKey. Android Police, that first spotted the feature, notes that the “keyboard is fully functional in floating mode and all of the operations appear to work normally, including glide typing, suggestions, different keyboards, etc.” The report also adds that more people should get the feature in the days to come, although Google is yet to formally announce such a Gboard feature.

Google seems to be on a redesign spree with most of its apps and feature centered around Android. The said floating keyboard update should be particularly useful for users with smaller hands (but big phones) since it would allow them to move the keyboard around and also resize it without compromising on functionality.

Google is additionally said to be working on bringing even more language support as well as Halloween-themed GIFs to Gobard in the days to come. While the floating keyboard is said to be now live for a lot more users, new language support and Halloween GIFs are yet to make their way to more users.

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Khushbu is chief editor of Viral Mobile Tech & App Gyaan, she is professionally a CA and tech enthusiasts, her USP is to judge the things with magnifying glass, her love other than technology & tax is eating.